Braintree's Jeniyah Jones taking center stage for girls hoops

Bob Whitney

Tuesday

Jan 8, 2019 at 4:05 PMJan 8, 2019 at 4:05 PM

In Braintree there have been a number of basketball playing (and sometimes coaching) families over the past few years, with last names like Russell, Herlihy, Timberlake, Fay, Dixon and Scarpa, among others, that quickly come to mind.

But this season the Jones family takes center stage as Jeniyah Jones is one of the central figures in the girls bid for another championship season.

Basketball has been a constant for Jeniyah who has followed in the footsteps of her basketball playing brothers Marquis and PJ Douglas.

“I grew up playing with my brothers, who were outstanding players,” said Jones, who is a team captain along with Adriana Timberlake and Barbara Ronca.

“I can remember doing all kinds of dribbling drills with PJ. The game was so much faster and more physical playing with my brothers; it has definitely given me an edge competing in the girls game.”

Jones had a traditional path to success on the varsity squad, patiently and diligently working her way up from the sub-varsity until finally making Coach Kristen McDonnel’s varsity roster last year as a junior.

It was an important step for Jones who was eager to showcase her talent after having spent considerable time sharpening her court skills playing AAU (NEX Elite) and travel basketball.

Jones big breakthrough came early in the 2018 season when she was summoned off the bench against Natick.

“We were in a huge hole at the half at Natick,” explained McDonnell. “Jeniyah, with her urgency and energy, changed the momentum in the game and allowed us to comeback and defeat an outstanding Natick team.”

It was a defining moment for Jones, as she would go on to start every game since for the Wamps and serve as a key factor in Braintree’s 2018 state title win over Springfield Central.

“I was trying to make some things happen on the defensive end and I came up with a bunch of steals that turned into points,” said Jones, who would like to study forensic science when she enters college next fall.

McDonnell was quick to point out that the transition was most impactful.

“In less than a year Jeniyah went from the sub-varsity to being an impact player on the varsity,” she said. “She has been a huge reason for the success we have had. She is a special player who makes something happen on each possession.”

And that is saying a lot since the Wamps have won three of the last five Div.1 state titles.

Her influence as a team leader has been marked by a positive and open communication style, one which comes naturally to her.

“I like to be positive with my teammates and have some fun too,” said Jones. “I love playing with my teammates.”

McDonnell summed it up best, “Her teammates love playing with Jeniyah and quite simple love being around her – she keeps every one smiling and laughing.”

And with Jones averaging 10.2 ppg, 8 boards and 4 steals Braintree may be smiling all the way to another championship!

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